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BajaNomad
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Ensenada "fine dining" ??
Have a business associate that asked me today for Ensenada recommendations... sounded like he was looking for more "fine dining" options than I've
partaken of recently... our M.O. has been more along the lines of El Fenix fish tacos or a stop at either Mariscos Playa Azul or Mariscos Bahia
Ensenada (the latter being more of a disappointment the last time there though - following their remodel) on Av Riveroll.
What are the latest thoughts on wining and dining in Ensenada recently (and maybe thoughts on a sidetrip to the Valle Guadalupe area)?
The Bitterlins' El Rey Sol always seems to have consistent reviews. What else?
Thx.
[Edited on 2-2-2012 by BajaNomad]
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bajaguy
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Sano's
Excellent steakhouse on Hwy 1, the north end of town south of the Coral Hotel & Marina. You won't be sorry!!!!!
[Edited on 2-2-2012 by bajaguy]
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EnsenadaDr
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Wow, I have written alot of reviews on restaurants in the past few months, I would say the best restaurant in Ensenada is Sano's...followed by El Rey
Sol, For a good Brunch and consistent good food with a good view, Hotel Coral Restaurant, Ophelia's in El Sauzal, can't beat Baja Mama's brunch in
Cantu, Las Parrillas Restaurant in Chapultepec near El Faro's Beach, for great burgers and a great breakfast, and the best seafood restaurant is Mahi
Mahi...however the waiters can be rude and give bad service at times...for Pizza and Salads the Old Mission Brewery, and the Marina on the spit has
good food, if you like plastic chairs and no heat to speak of on a cold day or night..
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bajaguy
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Malagon Winery
http://vinedosmalagon.com/Vinedos-Malagon-Home.html#
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baron
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Restaurant Haliotis........Agustin Sangines #179 Fracc. Nva. Ensenada. First class service and food. Extremely reasonable prices for what you get
and how you are treated. If you agree please propina appropriately!
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Sallysouth
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Yeah so they say, Sanos! Supposedly the best prime rib anywhere, ever.I was promissed, even married the schmuck, and he never took me there.I swear, I
WILL get there!Huge, excellent reviews from friends that have been there. (August 4, 2012, I will be there!)  Edit to include Las Rosas north of town, very
much an "upscale" ambience and a view, piano, waiters with the white linnen napkin over the arm, very good food...
[Edited on 2-2-2012 by Sallysouth]
Happiness is just a Baja memory away...
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EnsenadaDr
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Promises, promises.....
Yeah, I know the feeling about shmucks that promise and don't deliver...so, I took myself...and if you like, I can meet you there sometime!!! | Quote: | Originally posted by Sallysouth
Yeah so they say, Sanos! Supposedly the best prime rib anywhere, ever.I was promissed, even married the schmuck, and he never took me there.I swear, I
WILL get there!Huge, excellent reviews from friends that have been there. (August 4, 2012, I will be there!) |
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AmoPescar
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Hi Doug...
7 or 8 years ago, I had a fantastic dinner at El Rey Sol. Can't remember what I ate for sure, just remember it was excellent. I was there with a large
party and everyone enjoyed their meal and the service was very good.
Miguelamo   
Nomad Amigos...Here\'s hoping you all have safe Baja travels, amazing sunrises, sunny days, comforting breezes, beautiful sunsets, tasty tacos,
cold cervezas and frosty margaritas!!
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MMc
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Ophelia's in El Sauzal.We love the place, the food and service are always good. It can get loud if it's a business dinner. (we want'a to talk about
the details) it's to loud.
Sanos is great.
Ophelia's and Sanos are both a gringo or super high end Mexican place.
Good, but not inexpensive.
MMc
"Never teach a pig to sing it frustrates you and annoys the pig" - W.C.Fields
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elgatoloco
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Laja
Sano's
Barra Azul
El Rey Sol
El Taco de Huitzilopochtli
[Edited on 2-2-2012 by elgatoloco]
MAGA
marooons Are Governing America
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bajabound2005
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Here are my recommendations (not that some that others frequently mentioned are NOT listed).
Some of our favorite Ensenada restaurants – you can Google almost any of these and find great reviews. You can find all of these restaurants on
Facebook.
from north to south
Boules in San Miguel, Open Thurs-Mon starting at 1:00 pm. Casual, seafood and meat. Owner is Javier Martinez (speaks English). Local wines.
Sundays are probably the busiest. Waterfront. Just after passing through the toll booth to Ensenada, take the right just in front of the "Extra"
store. It's a little cobblestone street. Follow that straight ahead about half a block. The road curves to the right and just on the left is a
gated parking lot with a security guard. Go left past that guard shack into the parking lot a hit ahead, on the right. There are 3 buildings there on
the oceanfront, Boules is the one in the middle. Cash only. Phone 646 175 9769. Good choice for a group but make arrangements ahead of time with
Javi. Sundays and Mondays they have petanque tournaments.
Continue south on the hiway. Next up is Belio at KM 104 on the bayside. Look for a tall white condo building (EntreMar and it looks completely out
of place so it’s a good landmark.) A “block” or so past EntreMar is the entrance to Belio. The place is BEAUTIFUL and the most upscale of all
mentioned here. Mediterranean style food. I'm not sure of their hours but they open for breakfast at 7:30 on Saturdays. They are also open for lunch
and dinner and I would guess they open at 1:00 (except Saturday and Sunday, they open earlier) English speaking. Food has been inconsistent so far. If
nothing else, stop in for a drink and check out the place. 646 175 8810 info@beliorestaurant.com Excellent location for a large g roup, but again,
I’d give them advance notice.
Viento Colectivo Gastrónomico
At KM 104 just a very short distance (maybe ½ a block) past Belio is Viento (the location was to be a condo complex but it never got off the ground),
which now houses 3 restaurants, with a 4th one in the making. You can recognize the "building" by the crazy fence built around it....just sticks
nailed together in an random pattern. Food and atmosphere are great at all places. All are relatively small but can accommodate up to 20 or so.
Definitely make advance arrangement if you are bringing a group. All have both indoor and outdoor seating, and are oceanfront. In addition to the
restaurants, Viento also has “La Contra” a wine boutique featuring many of the wines of the Valle de Guadalupe. This is one of three La Contra
locations in Ensenada.
El Sarmiento opens at 2:00 and describes itself as an "enogastrobar". Chef/owner is Guillermo Barreto (also speaks English). Great pizzas and breads
made in their wood fired oven. Tapas or full menu available. Closed Mon-Wed. Staff speak English.
Terra Noble is open Tuesday- Sunday, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. They serve breakfast and lunch with an innovative menu. The concept is fresh and local.
They only thing they don’t make themselves is the ice cream and they have plans to start making their own. They make their own wonderful breads. The
Sangria Natural is refreshing as are their fresh juices. Local wines. For food, the trio de hamburguesas is a must try. Sliders – 1 each of beef,
tuna and portabella. Chef Edgard Romero is a young creative chef. He is getting ready to revamp and expand the menu a bit and he speaks excellent
English.
The newest restaurant at Viento is Kalifa. Also running with the Baja Med theme, Chef Victor Morales also incorporates wild game (that he hunts
himself) into the menu. I am eating there for the first time this week, but I can tell you the aromas coming from the kitchen the other day were
incredible! Closed on Mondays.
On Hwy 1 just before you enter Ensenada proper, across from LA Cetto’s La Cava is Sano’s. This is a Hussong establishment and is first rate. Their
outdoor patio is charming and the dining room is steak house classic. The staff is excellent as is the food. Steak is cooked to perfection. Newly
remodeled bar is hip and modern. Open daily.
Just as you enter Ensenada at the intersection where there is the Pemex on your left and the "lighthouse" on your right – take the hard right (sign
says Migracion) that is almost a u-turn to “Puerto Recinto” – don’t take the exit off the transpeninsular that says Puerto Recinto! About 4 blocks
down on your right, you’ll come across Manzanilla. Owned by award winning and notorious chef, Benito Molina and his lovely wife, Solange. Very
“funky” inside (pink chandeliers), full bar. Closed Sun-Mon. They open at 1:00. www.rmanzanilla.com
From Manzanilla, make a u-turn and go back to Blvd Costero. JUST BEFORE Blvd Costero, make another hard right/almost u-turn into the parking lot
where the lighthouse marks the entrance. It's a pay lot but both restaurants here will validate. From the middle of the parking lot, (the fish market
will be on your left) walk straight out to the malecon. There you will find Muelle 3. This one ranks in our top 3. Started up by Chef Benito
Molina, Muelle 3 is now owned by David Martinez. It’s very casual but the food is excellent and the staff charming. Beer and wine. If you don’t see
what you want, ASK! David is the younger brother of, Javi, who owns Boules) and he also speaks English (and is also an accomplished pianist!) The
place is small, but we got 22 people in there once! All fish and seafood as fresh as can be. muelletres@gmail.com
Go back to the parking lot and walk to the opposite side of it. There is a walkway to goes out to the street and you’ll find La Cocedora de Langosta.
The Platillo del Dia is always a good bet. Try their ceviche, it’s also different. Want something special or fixed differently? Ask Chef Roberto de
Anda and he will acommodate you. In addition to the restaurant they have a small pescaderia and wine boutique. Open 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
lacocedoradelangosta@gmail.com 646 178 3742
At the corner of Lopez Mateos and Riveroll, you will find LG. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They have an extensive list of local wines
at very reasonable prices. The food is consistently excellent. My 2 favorites are the poblano shrimp soup and the seafood lasagna. Most of the
staff speaks English.
One block from LG at the corner of Lopez Mateos and Alvarado, on the 2nd floor, is Criollo. Chef/Owner Guillerma Barreto (also of El Sarmiento)
describes it as a "taparia" -- extensive tapas menu and everything is outstanding. Don't see what you want on the wine list? Another La Contra wine
store is located next door. Criolla is managed by Tania Livier, who speaks excellent English.
Let’s head toward downtown. I don’t want to try to give directions from Blvd Costero so you’re on your own here!
At the corner of 6th and Moctezuma you’ll find another La Contra. La Contra is also now the name of the restaurant (formerly Del Parque.) It’s a very
modern looking building (white). Easy parking. Great outside dining (indoor also available). They do most of the cooking outside. Chef is Ismene
Venegas (does not speak English). I think they open at 1:00 and are closed Monday and Tuesday. Sample menu: http://www.lacontravinos.com/blog/?page_id=11 (646) 178-82-13 vinoslacontra@gmail.com
Around the corner from La Contra, on Moctezuma, between 4th and 5th, is Casa del Arte. Live music most days, and on the menu there is something for
everyone. Last summer their wine list was someone limited, but you can always run over to La Contra and buy wine there. Great indoor and outdoor
areas. http://www.lacasadelarte.com.mx Menu, map and contact info on the webpage.
Barra Azul (also in our top 3). It’s located on 11th between Espinoza and the Puente going over the arroyo. They open at 1:30 and are closed on
Tuesdays. Owner is Alain Genchi and the chef is Luis Garcia (though I think that now Luis has moved to Alain’s other venue, Ultra Marina). The
must-haves here are the tempura oysters and the oyster shooters (preferably the ones with green apple!) We don’t order off the menu; we just ask Luis
to prepare how many courses we want (4-5). For dessert, the crepe cake. Local wines and full bar. alaingenchi@hotmail.com http://www.barrazul.com
Looking for comfort food like burgers and wings? Check out Icarus Wings. It’s on Ambar near 29 de Noviembre. From the Reforma, go left on Ambar and
¾ mile. Icarus is on the right (on the left is Licores Los Amigos and a Veterinario). Excellent burgers, fries and wings! They make their own burger
buns fresh daily. Other meat and fish items available (like fish and chips). Their pizza is “non-traditional” such as with clams and Spanish
chorizo. All the food is excellent. Beer and soft drinks. BYO wine, no corkage fee. Owner’s name is Jorge Garcia Open Tues-Thurs 1:00-9:00;
Fri-Sat 1:00 – 11:00; Sun 1:00 – 7:00. Phone 646 178 6055 Link to map: http://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&pc=FACEBK&...
www.icarus-go.com is their website.
Not in Ensenada but in the Valle de Guadalupe is our all time favorite, Laja. Casual but upscale food with a fixed price menu. They grow their own
herbs and vegetables and almost everything else is acquired locally. Full bar and great list of local wines. Andres Blanco is the manager and
“maitre d”. He is also an extraordinary winemaker. Owner and chef is Jair Tellez. You can do the 4 course meal, but splurge and do the 8 courses.
They are small so you leave satisfied but not overly stuffed. If you want more of anything, they will bring it at no extra charge. The 4 course meal
runs $610 pesos, the 8 course is $798 pesos. Visa/MC accepted. Closed Sun-Tues. Open at 1:30 Wed-Saturday. They close at 4:00 on Wed but are open
until 8:30 the other days. (closing time means last people in the door by that time). Located at KM 83 on the Carr Tecate-Ensenada (Ruta de
Vinicola). 646 155 2556
[Edited on 2-2-2012 by bajabound2005]
[Edited on 2-2-2012 by bajabound2005]
Friends don't let friends drink white zinfandel.
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EnsenadaDr
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Muelle Tres has great food, but the ambience is horrible, it looks like a take out counter in a diner with plastic chairs, has no room for
parties...but great cream chowder which is their house soup and great seafood, very cheap...also wanted to comment on LG's, one day they had a high
school kid cooking and I got a horrible raw steak, so I hesitate to go back there again....
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bajabound2005
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i disagree, Janene --- i love the ambiance of Muelle 3. it's very simple, you are right there on the malecon with the fishing boats and fishermen.
the food cannot get fresher than that!
and rather than diss a place, i just leave them off my list.
Friends don't let friends drink white zinfandel.
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larryC
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Suprized I haven't seen anyone mention Mr. Pampas Brazilian steakhouse. Great salad bar, lots of different meats, and they just keep brining it till
you say "tio". Great place and food. Its on the south end of the malecon just before you turn left to go up towards Sorianas and Hiway 1.
Larry
[Edited on 2-2-2012 by larryC]
[Edited on 2-2-2012 by larryC]
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EnsenadaDr
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Mr. Pampas??
I found the quality of the meat to be very tough...and they leave their salad dressings out day after day...I wouldn't be surprised if someone got
salmonella...there is a new restaurant, an Argentinian place right near the Naval Base right down the street from Las Pampas...don't know if anyone
has tried it or not... | Quote: | Originally posted by larryC
Suprized I haven't seen anyone mention Mr. Pampas. Great salad bar, lots of different meats, and they just keep brining it till you say "tio". Great
place and food. Its on the south end of the malecon just before you turn left to go up towards Sorianas and Hiway 1.
Larry |
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bajadock
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"Best Flavors" is my preferred food category vs. table cloth thread count.
Nigori Sushi delivers my favorite and best flavors in Ensenada.
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larryC
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Ensenadadr
Sorry to hear that, when I was there it was excellent. Sorry your visit wasn't as good as mine.
Larry
| Quote: | Originally posted by EnsenadaDr
I found the quality of the meat to be very tough...and they leave their salad dressings out day after day...I wouldn't be surprised if someone got
salmonella...there is a new restaurant, an Argentinian place right near the Naval Base right down the street from Las Pampas...don't know if anyone
has tried it or not... | Quote: | Originally posted by larryC
Suprized I haven't seen anyone mention Mr. Pampas. Great salad bar, lots of different meats, and they just keep brining it till you say "tio". Great
place and food. Its on the south end of the malecon just before you turn left to go up towards Sorianas and Hiway 1.
Larry |
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bajabound2005
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Agreed, Doc! I have to add Nigori to my list 
Pampas, to me, all of the meats tasted the same.
The Argentinean place - went in there when they first opened. And while we were the only ones in there, no one seemed to want to serve us, despite all
of the help milling around. So we left.
Friends don't let friends drink white zinfandel.
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EnsenadaDr
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Of course you disagree...
Kathleen, I didn't say the food was bad, it's not, it's wonderful AND fresh...did I NOT say that??...The difference between you and I is that rather
than ignore something negative I choose to let people know and let them make their own decisions...freedom of speech..thank God this bulletin Board
allows for that and Big Brother isn't always censoring or refusing to post something...I did see a picture of a group of friends wedged into Muelle
Tres that I believe you were in...from that picture and from my own personal experience, I have decided its too small for a party. I have been in the
place and I stand by what I said..the ambience is like a take out diner. Oh yeah, and by the way, I WILL go back...only because the walk there is
pretty AND because of the food.. | Quote: | Originally posted by bajabound2005
i disagree, Janene --- i love the ambiance of Muelle 3. it's very simple, you are right there on the malecon with the fishing boats and fishermen.
the food cannot get fresher than that!
and rather than diss a place, i just leave them off my list. |
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bajaguy
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Baja Mama's??????
You are kidding, right????
I think the request was for..."sounded like he was looking for more "fine dining" options".......
Baja Mama's is far, far away from "fine dining", unless you want to boost your sodium intake and second hand smoke intake......
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